Astral
Facts, November 2014
Astral: (Theosophy) Consisting of, belonging to, or designating,
a kind of supersensible substance alleged to be next above the tangible world
in refinement; as, astral spirits; astral bodies of persons; astral current.
Choice Film Choices
This time in November is an interesting
season with the emphasis on giving thanks.
On November 11th, we remember to thank those who have served
their country in the military, and on the fourth Thursday we give thanks as families
for many aspects of our lives. Of
course, right after that comes Black Friday, which I think actually started
online a few weeks ago. Frankly, it
seems to be creeping up earlier and earlier, and not exactly in a positive way,
even though we don’t do much about that: somehow reminiscent of those wedgies from
back in junior high days that would have been even more uncomfortable if brought to the
attention of others around you.
Another aspect of the holiday season that
also seems to be creeping in earlier and earlier is the slate of blockbuster
movies opening up. Combined with the
shoppers’ traffic and the high cost of movies these days (we teachers haven’t
had a raise or even a COLA salary adjustment for over seven years now), my
inclination is to wait until the DVD comes out. Knowing this, my 15-year-old son has been negotiating for several months now to be
able to attend the Thursday midnight premiere of the final episode of the
Hobbit trilogy in December, even though he is supposed to be in school early
that following Friday morning. He does have a point about the reduced traffic
congestion aspect. (Why can’t they put
the same effort into their English persuasion essays for school?)
While those of us in the Humanities Science
fields do find enormous benefit in reading the printed words and letting our
imaginations work, it is also quite illuminating to observe how others can and
do employ their imaginations in interpreting what they have read or experienced. This is especially true in dealing with real
life experiences and the moral and ethical issues that arise. Thus, it might be worth venturing out into
the traffic to view these new releases, but with the local Redbox just around
the corner and Netflix just a few buttons away on the remote control, those
excursions can be supplemented with some that have evolved into DVD form. My
family has had the opportunity to experience some notable examples that can
provide some insight into past events.
Here are three we found thought provoking, in chronological order of
setting.
For
Greater Glory (2012)
Set in the 1920s in Mexico, this tells the
story of the Cristeros War (1926-1929) when the Mexican President, Plutarco
Calles, applied Leninist views and declared religion to be the “opiate of the
people.” He expelled all foreign-born
clergy and severely restricted religious services and activities, executing
those who did attend church services. At
that time, a retired general (played by Andy Garcia) was asked to help in the
struggle. Although he was an agnostic himself, he recognized certain principles
were being challenged. While we viewers
may not be confronted by such moral or ethical challenges of a national level,
how might we respond to such a challenge if faced at home, in the workplace, or within the community?
Argo
(2012)
Set in Iran in 1979, this tells the story
of the “occupation” of the American Embassy in Tehran. During the chaos of the event, six embassy
staff members were able to use a side exit before the embassy was
overtaken. Although refused asylum at
two other embassies, they were able to “hide out” in the home of the Canadian
ambassador. This film chronicles the
efforts of a CIA operative (played by Ben Affleck), who felt a moral obligation
to try to extract them through the ruse of planning for a blockbuster science
fiction movie (Argo, thus the title of this film) to be filmed on
location in Iran. Again, the central
character is faced with the moral and ethical issue of making a commitment and
following through with it, even when the authorities choose to withdraw
support. A thinking audience might see
these same principles at work at many different levels in the home, the
workplace, the community, etc.
Lone
Survivor (2013)
Once again, this chronicles a true story. A
four-man US Navy SEALs reconnaissance team in Afghanistan has orders to observe and
not initiate engagement with Taliban forces.
Three Afghan villagers herding goats in the mountains stumble upon the
reconnaissance team. The soldiers know
that if they let the villagers go, they will immediately inform the Taliban of
their presence, even if they promise not to.
Thus, the obvious course of action is to execute the villagers in order
to complete their mission, which would protect a larger number of local
citizens as well as the soldiers themselves.
However, their orders are not to initiate action, with the added factor of "innocent" citizens being involved. The decision the soldiers make will impact
their lives and the lives of others forever.
Should they choose “the greatest good for the greatest number”? What
moral and ethical decision would be best?
So we found those three quite
interesting. If you have other
recommendations, add them in the comments box below.
Certainly, life was a lot easier back in the days when
movies just provided simple escape and entertainment while people could relax
their minds eating popcorn with fake butter.
However, even though the butter was fake back then, the issues weren’t,
which is still true today. While we can
recognize the butter still may not be real, certainly the issues raised on the screen
are more real than ever.
So perhaps before and after (perhaps even
during) the barrage of contemporary holiday goings on, I would prescribe a few
runnings of It’s a Wonderful Life
with George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) wooing Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) while battling
Old Man Potter (Lionel Barrymore) with the angel Clarence (Henry Travers)
working on getting his wings. It’s chock
full of principles of ethical and moral choices as well, without all the
explosions. If black and white cinema
isn’t your bag, perhaps The Wizard of Oz
can remind you and the rest of us that there’s no place like home.
Walter Lowe
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.
